amygdalae See {amygdala} amygdala n : an almond-shaped neural structure in the anterior part of the temporal lobe of the cerebrum; intimately connected with the hypothalamus and the hippocampus and the cingulate gyrus; as part of the limbic system it plays an important role in motivation and emotional behavior [syn: {amygdaloid nucleus}, {corpus amygdaloideum}] [also: {amygdalae} (pl)]